Novels by Tracy

Naomi's pointWaking up that morning of my wedding day felt like a dream and I wasn't sure if I should wake up from it.It was not the kind of dream where you wake up and forget.It was the kind of dream you step into with open eyes, breathless, terrified, and completely in awe.Beatrice stood behind me, smoothing my curls into waves as warm light streamed in through open windows."You are quite baby," she said quietly.I'm afraid I'll cry if I talk.She smiled, already tear-filled eyes. "Then cry if you need to. You've earned every tear."Sure,The beach – scenes from the wedding ceremonyThe sun was setting, warming the sand in a gentle golden glow. The waves rolled in quietly, almost as if attempting not to breathe also.I was standing behind a white curtain threaded through by strings of fairy lights, dressed in a flowing, lacey gown cascading down my arms. My feet were buried deep in warm beach sand.But my heart ached.My parents were not alive. No one would give me away at the

Naomi’s POV“I want many unicorns, and rainbow cupcakes, And a crown, I want Barbie!”Miranda stomped her tiny foot for emphasis, standing on a dining chair, clutching a glitter pen like it was a wand. Her cheeks were smudged with frosting and her curls had somehow acquired two hair clips, a pencil, and a flower.I stared at her, then at Raymond, who had one eyebrow raised and a coffee mug halfway to his lips.“She’s your daughter,” I said dryly.“She’s your boss,” he replied, smirking. “Clearly.”Miranda turned to me, wide-eyed. “Mommy, Daddy says I’m the boss of the wedding!”I laughed out loud. “Well, Boss Miranda, what does the queen want?”Miranda beamed. “I’m in charge of the wedding!”Beatrice, sitting nearby with a cup of tea and a barely concealed smile, whispered, “Let her have this moment.”I sighed. “Unicorns, huh?”She nodded solemnly. “With glitter.”---Later That MorningMiranda was distracted with a unicorn coloring book, and Raymond and I were tucked into the sunroom

Naomi's POV The day started like any normal day.Sunlight poured over hardwood floors. The kitchen was filled with the scent of coffee. Miranda warbled off key as she painted flowers on rocks outside.But something was different about this morning.Raymond had departed after breakfast on the pretext of errands. Beatrice took Miranda away midmorning on a sly wink. And I was left alone in this big house. I felt lonely though, like as if something precious has left me.---I wandered the house the entire day, I was agitated. I started cleaning things that weren't dirty, started Folding things that were already folded just to get myself busy and from being bored.When the doorbell rang around sunset, I jumped out of where I was to get it. I didn't care who was there but I was happy someone was home.With excitement in my heart, I opened the door–And i found a single white rose tied up by a velvet ribbon.A note was left inside the ribbon.> “Come to the garden.Love, R.I trembled a bi

Naomi's POV The morning sun spilled golden across the kitchen and shined on the ingredients that were being placed on the table in the kitchen."Pancake day!" Miranda shouted, flinging herself over the counter where the apron was tied around her.I was laughing, feeling light-hearted, I turned to face her and said “what do we need to do first?”“First we need to wash our hands”, she said as she moved towards the sink and started singing a particular nursery rhyme–”wash your hands du-du-du,” as she washed her small little hands.Raymond was at the stovetop attempting to flip a very wobbly pancake while muttering under his breath."You're burning it," I teased, resting against the counter.He gave me a look over his shoulder, pretending to be offended. "I am a multi-talented fellow. Pancake flipping isn't just one of my skills."Miranda giggled wildly and kicked her small feet. "Daddy needs lessons!"He sneered. "Indeed, I'd learn from youShe nodded seriously and then snatched up a s

Naomi's POV The days were more calm now.No alarm.No secret messages were left under our door.No hints of trouble lurking around the corner.Nothing but sunlight spilling through open windows, the smell of pancakes from the kitchen, and the laughter of Miranda echoing through the corridors.It was, for the first time in a long while, normal.And somehow it was even scarier than all we had suffered.……….I was barefooted, standing amidst the dewy lawn of the garden, as I saw Miranda running with a yellow kite. I heard her laughter carry into the warm atmosphere, a high clear note. Raymond stepped up close to me, his arms wrapped around my waist, his chest a solid, heat-filled wall against mine.She's happy," he muttered into my hair.I sat up straight, letting the brutal truth of that statement seep deep into my marrow.She deserves it, I murmured.So do you.I rolled over against the curve of his chest, looking for his face. He stared at me as he always did—LIKE I was the beginnin

Naomi's POV The house was silent, except for the soft tick of the clock and the gentle hum of Miranda's steady breaths while sleeping. The world has finally, finally, came to a standstill for us.I sat by the window, I was only wearing a robe, arms folded across my chest, watching moonlight stream across the garden.I heard his footsteps, slow and steady, behind me.RaymondMy anchor, my storm.We had not had a moment by ourselves like this in what seemed like forever.No enemy lying in hiding.No experiments waiting to take our daughter away from us.Just us.And then suddenly, I couldn't breathe.……..His strong, warm hands wrapped around my waist from behind. He placed his chin on my shoulder and just like that I could feel his breath on my body and my body immediately responded to it. All the hairs on my body stood and I just rested my head in his."You are tensed," he whispered.I closed my eyes, leaning back into him. "It’s hard to stop looking over my shoulder.""You don’t have